King's Kung-Fu& Tai Chi

Japanese symbol for “foundations”

Romaji: ashikoshi
legs and loins; lower body

In Japanese, foundations is , read (ashikoshi).

Before using these characters for a tattoo, check them with a native speaker. Dictionary words often have several meanings, and the right choice depends on context.

Meanings

  1. n legs and loins; lower body
  2. n foundations; underpinnings

Kanji and stroke order

leg, foot, be sufficient
on: ソク
kun: あし、た.りる、た.る、た.す
7 strokes · JLPT 4
loins, hips, waist
on: ヨウ
kun: こし
13 strokes · JLPT 2

Related words

Words that share a kanji.

WordReadingMeaning
まんぞく manzokusatisfaction; contentment; gratification
ふそく fusokuinsufficiency; deficiency; shortage
あしあと ashiatofootprints
あしもと ashimotoat one's feet; underfoot; one's step (as in "watch your step")
ほっそく hossokustarting; inauguration; launch
てあし teashihands and feet; limbs
ようつう youtsuulower back pain; lumbago
ものごし monogoshimanner; demeanour; demeanor

See also: Chinese symbol for “foundations”.

Data: JMdict (CC BY-SA 4.0); KANJIDIC2 (CC BY-SA 4.0); KanjiVG (CC BY-SA 3.0); wordfreq (CC BY-SA 4.0 (data)). Retrieved 2026-10-22.

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